China to Rely on LNG for Supply Security Throughout Year

18 April 2018: Chinese LNG imports are on track to set an annual record this year due to strong policy support, with January and February imports averaging more than 4 MMt/month.

LNG imports hit a record 5.18 MMt in January, 51% higher than the same month last year. Official data for February shows that China imported 3.99 MMt in February. Based on this data, Chinese LNG demand November through February would have increased by 50% to 18.26 MMt.

In a typical year since China imported its first LNG in 2006, state-owned terminal operators would be told to ensure adequate LNG supply during the winter – November through February – because China relied on it for gas supply security during its peak energy demand. However, this is the first year operators have been officially ordered to guarantee sufficient LNG supply throughout the year, industry sources said.

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